PHOTO: Bildbyrån
It is not exactly the first time in world history that Petter Northug is out swinging wildly against Sweden.
Now he has done it again – this time against the Swedish confederation.
– It is a scandal and a disaster, says the Norwegian.
Peter Northug during his active career was not infrequently out and criticized Sweden through his piques and outbursts. Now the Norwegian, who is now a TV expert, has been on the move again. What is he unhappy about this time then?
Northug’s criticism
It is about the Swedish view of high-altitude camps, something that Northug himself practiced extensively during his active years. And as we all know, it worked pretty well with, among other things, two Olympic golds and a whopping 13 World Cup golds.
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Northug has previously directed criticism against the Norwegian association not investing in going to training camps at high altitude – and now he has also given in to the Swedish ditto.
– It is ridiculous if the Swedish confederation does not pay. If the best skiers in the national team want to ski at high altitude, the association must pay. If they pay privately, it is a scandal and a disaster. The union has to deal with that, if they show that they want to invest and go to great heights, then the union will pay, he tells Expressen.
READ MORE: Calle Halfvarsson reveals his grand gesture to Petter Northug – despite all the mockery over the years: “Wanted to show support”
“Then they have to stop sports”
What he refers to is the fact that the Swedish stars Jonna Sundling and Emma Ribom forced to pay out of his own pocket to be able to go away and train at higher altitudes – specifically in Italian Lavazé.
– They invest in it themselves. Possibly they can get some contribution from SOK – but it is probably doubtful, says the coach Magnus Ingesson previously said.
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The trainer Anders Byström believes at the same time that interest in high-altitude training has cooled among the Swedish skiers.
– The riders themselves have expressed that they do not want to be away so much and for so long, says Byström.
However, Northug doesn’t buy that reasoning at all.
– Then they have to stop playing sports. Start studying or get a job.
READ MORE: The Norwegian superstar’s mockery of Sebastian Samuelsson – now sees all of Sweden: “Just as I knew…”
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